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America at Our Best

I love my country. Truly. I love my country right or wrong, but pray we will be right. But even when I think we’re wrong, my love is not diminished. My love, whether for my country or my family, is constant. Agreement, respect and pride are bit more flexible. When disappointed by a love, there is pain. But when my loved ones do me proud, well, the pain turns to pride.

Today, I am almost sinfully proud of America. There is no more generous nation or people when disaster strikes and there is suffering. An earthquake or hurricane, a tsunami or flood in some far away land–even that of an enemy–and we are there. Yes, I know we let ourselves down with Katrina. We were slow and inefficient, maybe even incompetent, but I don’t for a moment question our intent or good will. We are not always efficient or effective, but we usually mean well.

When there was an earthquake in Pakistan, we were there–unselfishly and without political motives. When the Christmas Tsunami struck–from Thailand, to India, from Indonesia all the way to the eastern coast of Africa, we sent aid, doctors, rescue workers, hospital supplies, hospital ships, blankets, water and food. When the earthquake hit Iran, we were ready to go–regardless of our political relations. This is sweet and commendable in our nature.

Our response–both personally and institutionally–to the horribly tragic earthquake in Haiti is inspiring and fills me with patriotism and pride.

We dispatched aid immediately. No focus groups. No spin. No hearings. Hospital ships were on their way within hours. Rescue specialists, both human and canine, are already there. Troops, which really are peacekeepers, are landing even as I write. They are not there to stay. They are not occupying the country. They will not rob the people of their few resources. They risk life to keep the peace and let food, water, medicine be distributed without fear of riots or bullies or thieves. We are doing what is right entirely for the right reasons.

From the private sector the response has been equally heartening. The Red Cross and religious groups across the religious spectrum, have jumped at the chance of being of service to people, people not necessarily of their faith, but simply because there is need and they have means of helping.

Of course, from Venezuela to Iceland, Canada to Cuba other nations and peoples are also giving. Are we all strange allies in this specific cause? Maybe. It does seem a shame that we can work together in extremis but not in normal times. Maybe we can learn something of lasting importance by joining together in this critical humanitarian effort. What is important is that we are there making a difference, saving lives and being up-lifted ourselves. We come, we help and we don’t stay. This is what America does best. This is America at our best.
2010 Jonathan Dobrerwww.Dobrer.com

I think you should decide, Jonathan, whether you want America to help other countries or not. If you want us out of other places, then you shouldn’t be so quick to praise massive sums of tax dollars going to Haiti now either. Yes, those dollars certainly left quickly, with no debate. That is not a plus, by the way.

I would remind you that OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY is not charity; it is thievery.

Furthermore, this comment:
“Troops, which really are peacekeepers, are landing even as I write. They are not there to stay. They are not occupying the country. They will not rob the people of their few resources. They risk life to keep the peace and let food, water, medicine be distributed without fear of riots or bullies or thieves. We are doing what is right entirely for the right reasons.”

…is insulting to the troops who are in those other places. It is YOUR opinion that this effort in Haiti is right, for the right reasons. It is others’ opinion that the same could be said in some of those other places. Further, are you implying that our troops in those other places are robbing the people of their few resources?

This country has no more business shipping off hundreds of millions of dollars than I would donating thousands of dollars while my bills remained unpaid and bankruptcy threatened.

In point of fact, this “rescue” should have been left to the private sector, which is always phenomenal in its response from this country, and from others.

Diane Schrader

A slightly different take on this: After watching this unfold for the past few days, I see no other force on earth that could bring any order to this disaster than the U.S. military. I still don’t think massive amounts of taxpayer dollars should be infused, but I highly applaud Obama for bringing former presidents in to raise private money.

Speaking of presidents, anyone see that extremely good-looking Massachusetts guy? Anyone think he might give it a whirl come 2012?

Jonathan Dobrer

Ah Diane,
Finally agreement in first paragraph…and then you swoop in for the kill. Proposing good looking guy to run for president after only two years in the senate and several terms in state government is a great and clever attempt to lure me into saying “No way! Not enough experience.” Then you come back with …”And Obama’s previous experience was…????” A good gotcha. Well, all I have to say is this: Fair point.
Cheers!
Jonathan

Diane Schrader

A master stroke of arguing with oneself, and somehow winning the argument. Kudos to you.